Opting for natural alternatives to common products is a trend that’s steadily rising in today’s health-conscious world, and this phenomenon is also evident in the realm of pet care.

Given this rising popularity, a lot of pet owners are weighing the benefits of fully committing to using natural dog treats in favour of mass-produced variants.

The fact of the matter is this: natural dog treats are superior to non-natural variants in almost every capacity besides price, shelf life, and accessibility.

And, let’s face it, if it’s a matter of extending the life of our furry friends, there’s no price or excuse that can stop us from giving them what’s best for them.

If you care about your dog’s health and happiness, feeding your pet natural dog treats can give you peace of mind knowing that no preservatives are entering their system. Of course, you’ll also be giving them a delectable treat.

Interested to know more about these benefits in greater detail? We got you. Read on to learn five key benefits of switching over to the side of natural dog treats.

Let’s start!

In This Article:

1. Supports A Broad Range of Health Factors

One of the primary benefits of opting for natural dog treats is its inherent health-boosting properties. Artificial dog treats tend to be ultra-processed and enhanced with additives that help create that feeling of fullness in dogs.

These additives aren’t exactly teeming with minerals and nutrients, but are instead processed with the main idea of being mass-producible, long-lasting, and “good enough” to meet regulatory standards of what can be constituted as commercially viable dog food.

In contrast, natural dog treats are made from real meat. They don’t undergo a manufacturing process to break down the meat to make it more long-lasting. Instead, these products retain the nutritional value of the original meat through a freeze-drying effect, making it a viable protein source for your pet that can be stored for a moderately long time.

Given that these treats are all-natural, there are a lot of health benefits your canine can reap from eating these treats in their natural form.

One of them is better oral health and reduced plaque buildup thanks to the crunchy and chewy texture of these treats. The second is better skin and coat health thanks to the absence of fillers and additives and the presence of skin-healthy fatty acids like omega-3 and vitamins like biotin.

Other health factors are also vastly improved. The energy and protein sources coming from natural dog treats are higher per gram due to the absence of filler. This enhances a dog’s stamina, which is crucial for active and working dog breeds like the Jack Russell Terrier or Border Collie.

In any case, switching to natural dog treats can improve many of your dog’s physical attributes, like their energy levels, as well as their skin and teeth. Over time, this can help maintain their physical appearance and reduce potential diseases related to their coat, teeth, and stamina.

2. Has Increased Nutritional Variety

Another advantage of opting for natural dog treats is the diverse nutritional breakdown these treats offer. If your dog only eats a single brand of artificial dog food throughout their life, they may find themselves facing an imbalance of nutrients in their body—which can cost them dearly later in life.

This problem will be greatly reduced if you add natural dog treats into the mix. Natural dog treats are derived from a variety of meats, whole grains, and vegetables—making them excellent food choices for providing a balanced array of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to your dog.

For instance, fish dog treats can provide omega fatty acids to improve coat health, while sweet potato-based treats may provide fibre and vitamin A to help the dog sustain bodily functions.

Furthermore, these treats require a smaller amount for dogs to access these nutritional benefits. This is unlike artificial treats, which are often packed with fillers that are calorie-dense rather than nutrient-rich.

With a broader range of nutrients offered by natural dog treats, your dog can more easily become healthy, active, and disease-free. It also extends their lifespan as these nutrients equip their bodies with the molecules and vitamins to sustain themselves for long periods of time.

3. Free From Fillers and Preservatives

Natural dog treats don’t undergo rounds of chemical processing; they’re packed and distributed in an almost pure form, free from fillers and preservatives that tend to bulk and make up a wide range of artificial treats.

Fillers are not good for your canine since they lack essential nutrients and are solely made to increase the full feeling of your dog. In essence, they’re empty calories and stripped of vital nutrients.

Similarly, preservatives are also bad for your canine since they are made with chemicals that can enter your dog’s digestive tract and interfere with the normal functioning of their organ systems. It’s not uncommon, for instance, for dogs to develop allergies and food sensitivities over time if all they eat is these artificial dog foods.

Besides chemical exposure and digestive issues, fillers and preservatives can also exacerbate weight gain in dogs. This is because the fillers found in these food products are calorie-dense, making it easy for dogs to overeat and exceed their daily caloric intake limit.

By introducing natural dog treats into your dog’s diet, you’ll avoid exacerbating these health issues and have peace of mind knowing that your dog is eating healthily whenever you hand over a food reward.

4. Strengthens Immunity

Natural dog treats are a great alternative if you want your dog’s immune system to stay healthy and strong. Natural treats are filled with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can help their bodies fight off free radicals, viruses, and bacteria more effectively.

These vitamins are diverse, including things like vitamins A, C, E, and other detoxifying nutrients. Furthermore, these treats also include a wide range of other minerals and vitamins depending on the whole food that the treat is derived from, like omega-3 for fish-based treats.

Conversely, artificial dog treats can worsen your dog’s internal defence performance because they’re riddled with synthetic and nutrient-depriving chemicals like BHA and BHT. The presence of these chemicals can strain their natural immunity from valuable resources, thus making them more susceptible to illnesses.

In any case, your dog’s internal defences and immunity will be much stronger as they consume more natural dog treats, especially if you’ve switched out of artificial ones. This is because these treats provide clean nutrients that help your dog stay healthier and more resilient to illnesses.

5. Promotes Better Digestion

Natural dog treats are made from whole and natural ingredients. They’re easier to digest when compared to ultra-processed foods like dog treats with corn, wheat, or soy fillers. This is especially true if these natural dog treats are made from high-quality protein or fibre-rich vegetables.

Fibre helps support the digestive system by encouraging the growth of digestive enzymes. These natural dog treats may also contain prebiotics, helping improve the gut microbiome and supporting bowel movements.

In contrast, having artificial preservatives in the digestive tract can increase the chances of the dog experiencing stomach upset. It can also lead to other digestive issues, like constipation. Opting for clean ingredients is the way to go if you want to reduce GI issues in your furry pal.

We hope this article has helped convince you to switch over to the all-natural side. Remember, your dog always deserves what’s best for them—and a simple switch of their food product can make a tremendous difference.